Ph Preferences Of Some Plants

Article #4: pH Preferences Of Some Plants

The chemical symbol “pH” is used to indicate acidity or alkalinity. On a scale of 0 to 14, pH values from 0 to 7 indicate acidity; values from 7 to 14 indicate alkalinity; pH 7, the value for pure water, is regarded as neutral.

Quite Acid (4 to 5)

Azalea

Holly

Gardenia

Ixora

Moderately Acid (5 to 6)

Fern

Pine

Orchid

Potato

Parsnip

Pumpkin

Persimmon, Japanese

Watermelon

Acid. Near Neutral (6 1/2 to 7)

Beet

Kale

Broccoli

Leek

Cantaloupe

Lima Bean

Chives

Marigold

Corn

Onion

Cucumber

Pea

Eggplant

Peach

Endive

Radish

Slightly Acid (6 to 6 1/2)

Allamanda

Oyster Plant

Avocado

Palm

Banana

Papaya

Bean Bottlebrush

Pecan

Citrus

Pepper

Copper

Philodendron

Croton

Pineapple

Dracena

Pittosporum

Fig

Poinsettia

Grape

Powderpuff

Gloxinia

Schefflera

Hibiscus

Shrimp-plant

Jasmine

Squash

Live Oak

Strawberry

Loquat

Tomato

Mango

Turnip

Rutabaga

Alkaline, Near Neutral (7 to 7 1/2)

Alfalfa

Geranium

Cabbage

Lettuce

Carrot

Nasturium

Cauliflower

Petunia

Celery

Sweet Pea

The following is a partial list of available materials for “sheet composting” or compost piles, with some of their percentages of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash: